When Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden hinted Saturday that some of Tampa Bay’s younger players could see significant action against the Carolina Panthers, he wasn’t kidding.

Tampa Bay’s defense will be without three defensive starters when they take the field against Carolina on Monday Night Football.

Middle linebacker Shelton Quarles (knee), defensive end Simeon Rice (shoulder) and defensive tackle Ellis Wyms (ankle) did not travel with the Bucs to Carolina Sunday and will miss Monday night’s game due to their respective injuries.

All three players missed practice this week because of their ailments. The Bucs are getting ready to enter a tough stretch where they will play three games in 11 days. Two of those contests will be on the road.

Second-year LB Barrett Ruud will replace Quarles in the starting lineup while Dewayne White will replace Rice. It is not yet clear which player will replace Wyms at under tackle, although Jon Bradley and rookie Julian Jenkins are candidates.